When officials and enthusiasts gathered in Copenhagen for one of Europe’s biggest flag football tournaments, Moses Waweru Gathungu stood out before a single game had been played.

Not because he wore a different uniform or he called the game differently, but he stood out because no African official had walked this path before him.

In May 2026, Gathungu, a JKUAT staff member in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, became the first African official to participate in the Copenhagen Bowl, a tournament that attracts teams and officials from across Europe.

For him, the journey offered a rare chance to test himself in a new environment, learn from some of the game’s most experienced minds and carry the flag for a continent still carving out its place in international American football.

At 27, Gathungu is already a seasoned match official who boasts an International Federation of American Football certification and an admirable flag football officiating resume to his name.

At Copenhagen, the tournament opened with a full-day officiating clinic where officials from across Europe gathered to sharpen their craft.

Presentations were delivered by revered International Federation of American Football (IFAF) officials from Israel, Denmark, Italy, France and the United Kingdom. Discussions ranged from mechanics and positioning to communication, game management and developments shaping the future of international officiating.

Then came the games. Over several days, Gathungu officiated 15 matches across different divisions. Four of those assignments were supervised, placing his work under the watchful eyes of experienced international evaluators. Each review became a classroom of its own. Decisions were revisited, positioning analyzed and mechanics refined.

Among a highly competitive pool of officials, Gathungu earned selection to officiate two championship games in the Leisure Category Finals. The appointments were a vote of confidence from tournament assessors and a fitting conclusion to a week spent proving himself on an unfamiliar stage.

Yet some of the tournament’s most valuable moments happened between games. Conversations with officials from different countries offered new perspectives on the sport and the role of officiating within it.

Gathungu described the experience as both humbling and eye-opening, noting that the Copenhagen Bowl pushed him beyond the familiar rhythm of local officiating.

“Officiating at that level was a different kind of pressure. Every decision is reviewed, every movement matter, and you are constantly learning. But it was also a privilege to represent Africa in that space and to realize that our officials can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world,” said Gathungu.

At home, the milestone drew praise from JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, who congratulated Gathungu on the achievement, describing it as a proud moment for the University and a strong reflection of its growing global footprint in both academics and co-curricular excellence.

The Vice Chancellor noted that Gathungu’s selection and performance in Copenhagen underscored the value of staff who actively engage in international platforms, adding that such representation elevates not only individual careers but also the institution’s reputation.

“His achievement is a testament to dedication, professionalism and the spirit of excellence we continue to nurture at JKUAT. We celebrate him for flying the University and the country’s flag high on an international stage,” said Prof. Ngumi.

Gathungu will be officiating at the upcoming NFL flag continental championships in July this year.